Developing apparatus



`Fune 3, 1930. A. LANGSNER DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 8, 1928 Patented .lune 3,' 11930- UNITED STATES PATENT AOFFICE Y ADOLPH 'LANG-SNER, OF CHICAGO, ELINOIS, SSIGNOR, T0 EUGENE DIETZGEN CONQ- PANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE vDEvELoPme APPARATUS Application inea February s, 192s. serial No. 252,717.

My invention relates to an improved developing apparatus for developing light sensitive material, such as paper or the like, by

means of an alkaline developing agent preferably 1n gaseous form such7 for instance, as

ammonia gas. The invention also includes the process of developing the light sensitive pass through the air adjacent the developingmedium or its path of travel whereby such drops give olf developing gas for accomplishing the development of vthe light sensitive material.

Yet another object of my invention resides in the means whereby the developing gas is produced or'evolved in the developing chamber by dropping relatively small particles of liquid developing medium through the air and adjacentthe path of travel of the light sensitive material whereby the gas evolved from the falling drops or'particles will come into contact with the light sensitive material anddevelop it.

Yet another object of my invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for creating -afalling spray-like arrangement of liquid ammonia in the developing chamber adjacent the path of travel of the light sensitive material for causing-the evolved gases from the falling spray o r drops to develop the material and particularly -in meansfor collecting the drops or spra and re-circulating them so that the liquid eveloping medium is constantly re-use Still another object of my invention resides in the manner in which the traveling light sensitive material is fed between the'paths of travel of the alling drops of liquid develop-A ing medium .i hereby the material is subjected to the action of the developing gases Aevolved therefrom from both sides.

-Yet another object of my invention resides in combining with the 'foregoing mechanism a means for slightly wetting the lightsensi- -tive material prior to subjecting it to the a'ction of the developing gases suchA as ammonia gas whereby to expedite and accelerate the developing action. 1

Still another object of my invention resides" in the compact arrangement of the developing cabinet and whereby the variouschambers in the developing cabinet are isolated the one from the other so as to preclude the passage of the developing gas from one chamber to the other while at the same time permitting the feed or passage of the light sensitive material through the chamber in proper sequence.

Yet anotherobject of my invention resides in the provision of novel means for removing the occluded gases from the light sensitive material as it passes from the developing rangement of chemical devices which automatically remove the occluded gases from the light sensitive material.

Yet another object ofmy invention resides in the arrangement of the traveling feeding cords or belts with respect not only to the elementsin the developing chamber, but also to the chemical devices for removing the occluded gases and also the suction apparatus in the Ventilating chamber.

Still another object resides in the construction of the cabinet with a transparent: wall for viewing the development of the material and in the arrangement of a shiftable deliverytrough constructed and' arranged to cooperate with the outlet discharge of the cabinet for delivering the developed light sensitive material to either side of the cabinet.

Yet another object of my invention resides in the arrangement of the spray pipe for producing a rather broad ypath or zone of f alling drops of liquid developing medium, such as ammonia, whereby to provide a fairly wide -gas evolving zone within the developing Vchamber and particularly in the manner in ywhich the light sensitive material, as it travin the particular means and method whereby I remove the occluded gases from the light Figure 1 is a side sectional View of theI preferredform of my present invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of one of the spray tubes.

Referring now to thedrawings in detail, my improved invention comprises a proper support or base 2 upon which is .mounted a u cabinet 4 o f substantially air-tight or gastight nature. This cabinet is preferably provided with a front wall 6 of transparent material, preferably of glass, whereby the operations going on within the cabinet may be l viewed. In addition, the cabinet is provided with internal partitions 8, the iirst one being horizontal and joining a substantially verti* cal partition 10 having a basal horizontal portion 12 and a vertical portion 14 lying l substantially parallel with wall 10, and in addition, a rearmost horizontal wall 16 is provided whereby these partitions form a preliminary chamber 18, a developing chame ber 20,-a degassing chamber 22 and a ventilating chamber 24. The front wallv 6 of the cabinet is provided with a shelf or ledge 26 arranged opposite an inlet opening 28 extending slightly more than the width of the maximum width of light sensitive material 85 which is to be fed within the cabinet. In

addition', the cabinet is provided with a discharge opening 30 preferably located at the basal wall 32 and preferably at the rearmost portion of the cabinet. 1 Within the cabinet proper and within each lone of the chambers thereof I locate a plurality of guide rolls for eecting either the ,interrupted r continuous feed of the light sensitive material through the developing cabinet. In the present instance I prefer to feed the light sensitive', material, either in the form of relatively short sheets or in the form of continuous strips, in a continuous manner through the machine so that the light l0 sensitive material, when fed in at theinlet opening, will pass continuously through the machine and will bel discharged at the outlet opening 30. In order to accomplish this-the various guide rolls within the cabinet and Il within the chamber are providedwith a plurality of spaced apart grooves in which run.

cord or string belts. There are two sets of these cords and the light sensitive material is fed between thetwo sets and is carried by l0 the travel of the opposed cords on the upper and lower faces of the light sensitive material through the cabinet. Referring now to chamber-18, it will be seen that within this chamber I locate two rolls 34 and 36. 4The l5 space between these rolls is directly in line 52 located therein,

with the inlet 28. The first set of cords 88,

passes around the lowermost guide roll 86,A

This roll 40 rotates in contact with a'second roll 44 revolving in a container 46 of water so that the water is applied to roll 44, thence to roll 40 and thence to the under or light sensitive side of vth'e light senistive paper as it is fed along. Cord 38, after: passing through the grooves of the roll 40, thence passes through an opening 48 in partition 10. This opening is provided with packingstrips 50 to prevent the passage of developing gas out through the opening 48 while permitting the passage of feeding means therethrough After passing into the developing chamber 20 this cord 38 then passes around another guide roll thence downwardly along anotherguide roll 54 to the bottom of the developing cabinet 20 Where it passes along al guide roll 56 and thence upwardly along another guide roll 58 from whence it passes to still another guide roll 60 located substantially at the top of the vchamber 20. The belt then continues down-v ward in contact with the guide roll 62v and thence around a lower guide roll 64 at which time the set of cords, 38, pass out through an opening 66 in wall 14 into the degassing.-

chamber where it passes around another roll 68 and thence upwardly around another roll 70, thence downwardl'ylaround another roll 7 2 thence upwardly around roll 74 and thence downwardly through opening 76 in partition 16 from which point the belt continues in its travel around rolls 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88,

90, 92 and 94 from which point cords 38 pass around a guide roll 96 located at the rearmost front part of the cabinet where the cords 38 then pass'upvvardly and through an opening 98 in the horizontal partition wall 8 from which point they again pass around the feed roll 86 in a continuous mannen;

In a similar way the -set`of cords 100 pass around the guidel roll 38 at the`inlet 28 portion of the cabinet and thence pass in contact With the grooved guide roll 40 in the preliminary chamber, thence through the open-- llet 30 of the cabinet and from which roll 102 the set of cords 100 pass upwardly through an opening 104 in the partition 16, vwhence the cords pass along through the degassing cham ber and around a drive roll 106 and thence worm 120 on shaft 122 driven by al belt 124 from a motor 126 mounted on the rear of the cabinet. The shaft `116 and the driving mechanism is enclosed wit-hin a gas-tight housing 128 and the chain 112 passes through an opening in the rear Wall of the cabinet. It will thus be seen thatL in the foregoing construction the two independent sets of cords .travel together from the opposed rolls 34 and 36 at the entrance 28 of the cabinet and in spaced relation so that any light sensitive material which is fed through the opening 28 into the bite of the rolls 34 and 36, will be positioned between the upper and lower sets of cords '38 and 100 respectively and as these cords travel toward the rear of the machine, they will take with them the light sensitive material positioned therebetween. Thus the light sensitive material will be carried in the path hereinbefore set forth and will be nally discharged through the opening at the bottom of the cabinet. By controlling the speed of rotation of the motor 126 or by either rotating it intermittently or in a continuous manner, the travel of the light sensitive material either vin short sheet form or continuous strips. may be variably controlled.

the developing chamber 20 so that duringtheir passages through the air, the relatively small particles of liquid ammonia, or the like, will give off developing gases and I propose to do this in a manner solas to prevent the liquid drops or spray from touching or wetting the light sensitive material so that the latter `is developed in a dry manner and solely by the action of gases given olf by the falling liquid particles, I further propose to re-capture the. liquid spray or drops which fall to the bottom of the cabinet and l'e-convey them upwardly to the point from which they are. released. In the present instance the preferred apparatus for carrying out my process consists in two or more spaced apart substantially oval pipes 130 and 132 which extend substantially the width of the develop- -ing the occlude'd .gases therefrom.

ing chamber. The underside of these pipes I provide, as shown in Figure 2, with a zigzag formation of relatively small holes or tits 134 4whereby to provide a relatively wide path or zone of falling drops. I connect each one of the pipes 130 and 132 with distributing pipes 136 and 138 which, in turn, are connected to the bottom of an ammonia containing pan 140. Thesepipes 130 and 132 are preferably formed of glass or other rustproof material which is not corroded by the action of ammonia. The holes-or tits 134 are so small that the capillary attraction of the liquid holds it back `so that it passes through these relatively minute nozzles drop by drop. As the drops are falling down through the air they give olf ammonia. Thus the ammonia is generated more quickly than it would be by simply rising from a. pool of ammonia. By breaking up the ammonia into relatively small bodies or particles or drops.l it is more finely divided and evolves the ammonia gas much more quickly. The ammonia, as it falls through the air, is collected into pans 142 and 144 which, in turn. empties pipes 146 and 148 and is pumped back by means of pump 150 through a return pipe 152 emptying into the pan 140. Thus the ammonia which has fallen is re-circulated or pumped back for further use. It will be notedthat by reason of the arrangement of guide rolls disposed so as to feed the light sensitive material close to but out of contact with the falling drops 154 and 156, the paper is not wetted while at the same time itisA brought very close to the zone of evolution of the gases. It will also be noticed that the light sensitive material is carried inside and slightly parallel to the two paths of travel 154 and 156 respectively of the falling drops so that the paper-is subjected to developing action both while going down and while t going upwardly again, in other words, in two directions of its travel. Hence the traveling paper is substantially closed on two sides by 'a screen of developing gas so that the developing action is relatively rapid, particularly so when used in connection with tlfe rolls 40 and 44 for applying a relatively thin 'filmof water to the surface of the light sensitive material.

After passing from the developing cham` ber, the light sensitive material is carried in circuitous paths, running substantially parallel to each other,about the means for remov- .In the present instance I propose to remove these occluded gases by the use of certain dry solid absorbents held in suitablecontainers and adjacent to which the light sensitive material passes. lI prefer to use certain 'crystalline hydrated inorganic salts of certain metals and the preferred substances are the salts of the metals whose atomic weights are 'between 52 and 66, and including chromium,

manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zine. These, as well as certain others such as cadmium, mercury, magnesium, etc., which may be used, form addition or substitution products with ammonia, and when in the hydrated form have the water of crystallization replaced by ammonia of crystallization.`

These salts may be used in dry, solid form, and in the practical application the light sensitive material from which I propose to remove the occluded gases is passed over or relatively close to the absorbent used either -by itself, or as an impregnant for such carriers as charcoal, which 1n itself has al well known gas absorbing-action, pumice, kieselguhr etc., powedered pumice gives very good results. The absorbent material gives better results when carried on one of the materials above noted than when used alone, since inthe latter case the material has a tendency to powder and pack. In general the carrier is impregnated with about fifty per cent of its weight of absorbent material. This impregnation is carried on so that the material is deposited on the carrier in a crystalline condition from a solution of the metallic salt. As a specific embodiment illustrated for the applicationvof my invention, I propose to use powdered pumice impregnated with about sixty per eentofcopper sulfate,`penta hydrate; a known weight of 10-14 meshv pumice is placed in suilicient volume of a solu- 'tion of blue-stone (technical copper sulfate) to give the ratio of one part of copper sulfate by weight to. one and one-half parts of pumice. The solution is then boiled down with constant stirring until the salt has crystallized out in the pumice and is almost dry. The material is then spread out and allowed to dry in the air lwhen it is screened on a 14 mesh sieve, thus removing-the fines.'

The percentage composition ofthe original mixture may vary from one-lpart of copper sulfate with one part of pumice, to one part of copper sulfate with two parts .of pumice.

y.These ratios givethe best compositions for all ing 'salts .haveI given noteworthy results; zinc,

sulfate, nickel nitrate, ferrous sulfate, and cobalt chloride.

The above given method of impregnation coated with a covering .of a protective paintl to protect 'it from possible corrosion due to the ammonia or other gas or absorbent material. A v

Iii-the apparatus for carrying out my'process I provide two-relatively deep and'preferably rectangulareshaped containers the walls of which are formed as screens. These containers are illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings at 160 and 162 and are located be= tween the runs or two cord belts as they pass between the feed rolls 68, 70, 72 and 74. The

absorbent material 166 is packed between the screen walls Jformingithe containers and during the passage of the light sensitive material in close proximity to the screen walls of the containers, any occluded gases carried by the light sensitive material are removed by the absorbent action of thematerial. i

A further advantageous use of the absorb` ent and the manner of removing the occluded gases resides in the fact that the ammonia after absorption by the materials described may be readily recovered by the simple expedient of exposing this used absorbent material'to decreased pressure or increased temperature. 'The ammonia maybe recovered while the absorbent is regenerated. It is also to be noted that the tact that the ab'- sorbed gas is readily given olil in some cases under reduced pressure,: shows that the absorption may be primarily a physical phe nomenon. l

The readiness with which the absorbents give up theabsoibed gases under changed condition render them particularly valuable as it is only necessary to remove the absorbent and expose it to changed or altered physical conditions, that is, lower`pressure or higher temperature, and the absorbed gas is given off and the absorbent `material is regenerated and is available for further use.

Afterthe light sensitive material has passed from the degassing chamber,it travels through the opening 76 which is likewise fortified with the packing strips and thence the light sensitive material passes in a devious path about the rollers 7 8 to 94 inclusive through the ventilatin'g chamber. This chamber is opened at one end by means of a relatively small opening to the atmosphere and at theother end lis connected'to a conduit 168 having connecmetal or other support 172 having curled ends 174 and 176 and provided with anA intermediate arm 178 pivoted as at 180 to the support 2. Vith this construction the trough 172 may be tilted either into full line position or into dotted line position so that in either position the light sensitive material discharged from the opening 30, vvill be conducted around to the front or to the rear of the machine. Obviously other arrangements for selectively diverting the discharge feed of the material to various points may be utllized.

It will thus be appreciated that by reason of my present construction and particularly 'by reason of the process herein described, I

very quickly and economically evolve developing gas from the liquid developing medium, such as liquid ammonia, and I have provided an apparatus for accomplishing development of light sensitive material in a minimum time While at the same time accomplishing a very effect-ive developing action.

By reason of the utilization of the spray or the breaking up of the liquid ammonia into relatively fine drops which fall through prescribed paths in the developing chamber, evolving the developing gas during its fall through the air, I provide prescribed zones or areas of gas screens or paths adjacent to vvhlchI feed the hght sensitive mate-rial and' in the manner` such that the material is not v vetted by the falling liquid developing medium but is developed since it passes closely enough 'so that the evolved gases quickly act upon the light sensitive material. `Furthermore, by reason of the relatively small nozzles in the tubular pipes, the control of the rate of dropping of the liquid4 ammonia is accomplished since by reason of the capillary action of the liquid land the size of these tits or nozzles 81, the liquid is permitted to escape only drop by drop which thus subdivides the liquid ammonia into small enough particlesso that in passing through the-air it-Will give olf the gas at the desired rate.

It will also be appreciated that b v reason of the circulating system whereby the liquid ammonia is collected and returned to the upper reservoir, I am enabledto re-use the ammonia repeatedly.

It-will also 'be evident that by reason of my improved construction of a dry absorbent for which the ammonia gas has particular affinity, I am enabled -to provide self-contained means for removing the occludedgases which are so objectionable, and this means is of particular virtue in its present relation since it may be quickly rc-generated by further treatment so that `the absorbent material may be repeatedly used. In some instances I propose to use this absorbent material Without the further use of the lventilating chamber and the suction device but in -the present device I prefer to use them in combination.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the several parts Without departing from the spirit or scope of-my invention 'or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form hereinbefore described being of a preferred embodiment for purposes of illustration.

I do clailn herein either by itself or in combination with the developing apparatus, the means for removing occluded ammonia gas, since the same is claimed in my co-pending application, Serial N o. 259,7 51, tiled March 7, 1928; nor do I claim herein the means for 0r method of premoistening the lightsensitive material before it is subjected to the ammonia fumes in the developing compartment, nor the arrangement of the several compartmentsin the cabinet, since the same is set forth and claimed in my co-pending applications, Serial No. 248,745, led January 23,' 1928, Serial No. 282,792, filed Junel, 1928, and Serial No. 287,139, tiled June 21. 1928.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The herein `described process which consists in projecting relatively small portions or drops of a liquid developing medium capable of evolving developing gases through prescribed paths whereby to permit the evolution and dispersionof a developing gas in the neighborhood of said paths and passing light sensitive material relatively closeto said paths whereby to expose` the light sensitive material to the said gases but out of Contact vvit-h the liquid vvhereby said light sensitive material will be developed bythe developinggas given otl:1 by said moving particles without becoming moistened by the liquid.

2. In a developing apparatus, the combination of an enclosing cabinet, means therein veloped by the action of the gases given 0E by sai-d falling liquid. l

8. Ina' developing apparatus, the combinationl of a compartment, means containing liquid ammonia in said cabinet, means' fordischarging the liquid ammonia from said container in finely divided form so as to permit the same to drop freely through the air in the compartment and means in said.

compartment for holding light'sensitive material relatively close to said falling developing liquid but out of contact therewith whereby said material willbe developed by the action of the gases given ofi by said falling liquid and without wettingthe same.

4;. In a developing apparatus, the combination of means forming an enclosing cabinet, a container for liquid ammonia in saidcabinet, means providing a plurality of spaced apart nozzles or tits connected to said container and adapted to discharge drops of liquid'ammonia therefrom whereby said 'drops will fall in prescribed paths through and within the cabinet and traveling feeding means disposed within said cabinet and located so that its line ofI travel passes adjacent the. path of the falling drops Whereby the light sensitive material carried thereby will be developed by the action of the developing gases given oif by said falling drops without coming in contact with the liquid;

IPO

- therein holding 5. In a developing apparatus, the combination ofmeans forming an enclosing cabinet, a container for liquid ammonia therein, said container having means connected thereto and providing spaced apart spray mechanisms each having a plurality of spaced apart tits adapted to drop the liquid ammonia drop by drop in prescribed zones spaced apart in the cabinet, feeding means within said cabinet comprising a traveling carrier having its path of travel lqcated close to the paths of the falling drops but out of contact therewith whereby light sensitive material carried along by said traveling carrier will be enclosed on both sides by the falling drops and subjected to the -dry a `z-A tion of the developing gas given o'l by said drops.

6. In a developingapparatus, the combination vof an enclosing cabinet, a container liquid ammonia, pipes branching from' said container and terminating in relatively long tubes having spaced apart relatively smalltits on the under side thereof to cause the liquid to fall drop by drop, means adapted to collect said drops and meansfor turningsaid collected liquid y ammonia upwardly to said container, a plu- 1 rality of guide rolls in said cabinet, certain of said rolls bein 'located' above said nozzles and certain eing located withinvthe paths of the falling drops, movable feeding means passing around said guide rolls whereby the light sensitive material will be conveyed in two directions between the paths of the falling drops of liquid ammonia so that said material will be developed by the action of the gases given oft' lby the falling drops. s

7. In a developing apparatus, the combination of means forming a frame, `a container for liquid ammonia mounted in the frame, a liquid adapted to evolve developing gas carried in the container, said container communicating with a member provided along its length with a plurality of relatively small spaced apartwmeans for discharging liquid ammonia from the container drop by drop through the air and means for passu ing light sensitive material adjacent to the path of said dropping liquid but out of contact therewith.

8. In a developing apparatus, the combination of means forming a frame, va container for liquid ammonia mounted in the frame,

a liquid adapted to evolve developing ygas carried in the container, saidcontainer communicating with a member provided along its length with a pluralityof relatively small spaced apartmeans for Idischarging liquid ammonia. from the container drop by drop through the air and means for passing light sensitive material adjacent to the path of said dropping liquid but out of contact therewith, a receiver for the falling drops and means for pumping said recovered ammonia. i

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enclosing cabinet forming -a developing chamber, a relatively long tubuvveloping chamber, a.. relatively long tube in said chamber connected to a source of liquid ammonia, said`tube having onk its under side and longitudinally thereof relatively small openings arranged in substantially/'zigzag formation to provide a zone of falling drops adapted to evolve ammonia gas.

1 1. In a device of the'class described, the

-liquid upwardly to the container for the combination of a. cabinet, a traveling carrier disposed in said cabinet for conveying light sensitive material therethrough, means for applying a thin film of water to said light sensitive material and means for dropping I relativelysmall particles of liquid ammonia through said cabinet in close proximity to the path of travel of the-light sensitive material but out of contact therewith whereby said' wetted developing material-v will be speedily developed by the action of the gas given o' by the developing material.

l2. In a-device of the class described, thc

' combination of a member forming a nain cabinet, said member having a plurality of internal partitions forming a developing chamber and a preliminary chamber, an in- -let opening in said preliminary chamber, a

`plurality of guide rolls disposed opposite Y therein, a second roller rotating on the pe- A riphery thereof and adapted to begcontacted Y bottom with a 'cabinet and providinfr v ber and terminating vunder sides with spaced by the'traveling cords of the conveyer, said second mentioned roller being grooved to receive said cords therein, a tubular member in said developing chamber provided on its plurality of spaced apart relatively small openings, means for connecting said tube with a source of liquid capable of '.jacent said path, a spray of fluid i be developed by the cords passing around the guide roll above one of said tubes, thence downwardly within the path of 'falling drops from said tube toward the bottom of the 'receiver thence upwardly inside of the path of falling drops of the. other tube thence upwardlyand over the top of said second tube and through said cabinet whereby light sensitive material carried by said conveying means `will be subjected to the action of the evolved developing gas therefrom during two portions of its movement. 5

14. In' a developing apparatus sensitive material, means :for transporting the light sensitive material along termined path and: means forl creating, ad-

adapted to evolve gases for developing the light sensitive material wherebyA light sensitive material carried sprayp'without becoming moistened by the liquid forming the spray.

- In witness whereof, I 'have hereunto subscribed my name;

ADOLPH LANGsnEn.

evolving a-developing'gas whereby the liquid will be projected drop by drop from said relatively small openings and fallalong a predetermined path in the developing chamber and give off developing gases, said tubularmember being disposed so that said drops fall adjacent the path of travel of the feed-- ing means whereby light sensitive' material carried along said path of travel will be developed solely by the action ofthe gases given oft' by said falling liquid and `will not be wetted.

' 13. In a device of the class described, the combination of means forming an enclosing g a developing chamber therein, top of rsaid chamber and a .plurality of branched pipes depending from said cham.` in spaced apart tubes extending substantially the A"width of the chamber, said tubes being provided on their apart relatively an ammonia container located in the small nozzles for discharging the liquid am- Emonia drop by drop through the chamber,

receiving means for catching said drops, a

pump kfor returning-said caught liquid back to the container, with the periphery of the guide roll located slightly within the innermost vertical plane of the tube,`other guide rolls disposed be- .tween the path ot fallingdrops and out of 125" a guide roll above each tube for light cfa type Y alongsaid path may gasesl evolved from said 

